Loads to do this Easter in the North York Moors National Park

April 1, 2014

A host of fun events for families is planned for the Easter holidays in the North York Moors National Park.

Teddy Bears are invited along for some woodland adventures, littlies can get to grips with bugs, birds and Easter crafts, explorers can hunt for treasure, while adventurers can take part in a series of high-octane activities.

With Easter being late and spring already sprung, the activity programme offers a variety of ways to encourage youngsters to enjoy the great outdoors. The Moors National Park Centre at Danby has spring-themed events on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the school holidays, while Sutton Bank National Park Centre hosts a Discovery Day on Wednesday 16th. April. This hands-on session is a great opportunity to explore local woodland with microscopes, binoculars, cameras and a very knowledgeable and fun activity leader.

For the more adventurous, the National Park has linked up with East Barnby Outdoor Centre, near Whitby, so people can have a go at a range of activities such as canoeing the Esk, sailing, mountain biking, climbing and bushcraft, with sessions offered in every school holiday, starting this Easter.

I always try to have a variety of events so there’s something that appeals to all kinds of children and all kinds of families. I think my favourite this year is the Woodland and Waterfalls Walk. It’s especially for parents wanting to get their children out into the National Park, and it’s a great way of turning a walk into an adventure. Children become woodland explorers on a scavenger hunt whilst adults can enjoy beautiful May Beck and Falling Foss in the company of our Ranger, Naomi Green.”

There’s also a fabulous Easter Trail every day over the Easter weekend at The Moors National Park Centre and Sutton Bank National Park Centre where you use a map to find hidden eggs. Find them all and a prize awaits you.

Easter events are very popular so you must book in advance for all but the Easter Trail. You can do this by calling 01439 772738. For the adventure activities, call East Barnby direct 01947 893333.

For more details – and to receive an Out and About guide in the post – call the National Park on 01439 772700. Alternatively, download the guide or click here.

Tuesday 8 April: Easter Crafts
Celebrate the arrival of spring by making festive decorations, seasonal cards and other spring-themed crafts at The Moors National Park Centre, Danby. 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm or 2:30pm. Cost: adult free, child £4. Minimum age 5. All children to be accompanied by an adult. Booking essential.

Thursday 10 April: Build a Bird’s Nest
Birds make all sorts of different nests in which to lay their eggs. Discover how to make your own nests and eggs from a variety of art materials at The Moors National Park Centre, Danby. 10:30am to 12 noon. Cost: adult free, child £4. Minimum age 5. All children to be accompanied by an adult. Booking essential.

Thursday 10 April: Woodlands and Waterfalls Walk
Join National Park Rangers on a 3.5 mile stroll looking for signs of spring around the woodlands of May Beck, taking in lovely Falling Foss waterfall. It’s an easygoing family walk with some uneven ground and short uphill stretches – young woodland explorers can also follow our Scavenger Hunt and Carvings Trail along the way. Starts at May Beck car park (NZ 893 024) 10:30am – 1pm. Free. Not accessible by wheelchair. All children to be accompanied by an adult.Sorry, no dogs. Booking Essential

Thursday 10 April: Feed the Birds
Create your own willow bird feeder and some juicy bird cake to go into it. Please note that this event uses animal fats and peanuts at The Moors National Park Centre, Danby. 1:30pm – 3pm. Cost: adult free, child £4. Minimum age 5. All children to be accompanied by an adult. Booking essential.

Tuesday 15 April: Teddy Bears’ Picnic
Bring Teddy along for some woodland adventures and finish with juice and biscuits in our storytelling area. There are two separate sessions, starting at 10:30am and 2:15pm at The Moors National Park Centre, Danby. Cost: adult free, child £3.50. For ages 2-6. All children to be accompanied by an adult. Booking essential.

Wednesday 16 April: Discovery Day
A fun-filled, hands-on introduction to the National Park’s ‘Explorer Club’ project at Sutton Bank National Park Centre. Spend the day exploring and caring for a local woodland habitat, using our spotter’s guides, digital microscopes, bug viewers, binoculars and cameras. At the end of the session, the photos you have taken will be downloaded onto a disc for you to keep. The charge is per family, and you’re invited to bring a picnic. Event is weather dependent – please check in advance. 10:30am – 2:30pm. Cost: family £10. For ages: 5-14.
Not accessible by wheelchair.All children to be accompanied by an adult. Sorry, no dogs. Booking essential

Thursday 17 April: GPS Treasure Hunt
Get to grips with GPS at The Moors National Park Centre, Danby. We’ll show you how to use one so that you can search for hidden boxes around the grounds of the Centre. How successful will you be, and will you solve the riddles to claim your treasure? 1:30pm – 3pm. Cost, adult free, child £3.50 Minimum age 7. Not accessible by wheelchair. All children to be accompanied by an adult. Booking essential.

Thursday 17 April: Cunning Compass Explorers
Learn how to use a compass and tackle the compass course at The Moors National Park Centre, Danby. Split into teams and take on the Compass Explorers’ Challenge. Can you solve the questions to claim your prize? 10:30am – noon. Cost, adult free, child £3.50 Minimum age 7. Not accessible by wheelchair. All children to be accompanied by an adult. Booking essential.

Friday 18 April – Monday 21 April Easter Trail
Come along at any time and use your map of the grounds to locate the hidden eggs. Find all ten and a tasty prize awaits you at The Moors National Park Centre, Danby and Sutton Bank National Park Centre.10am – 4pm – drop in any time. Cost, adult free, child £3. All children to be accompanied by an adult.